A recent report from USA Today analyzed the air quality outside many of our nation's schools. Check out the report and the results for air outside Hazleton Area High School: Toxic Air and America's Schools
As an Environmental Biology student, the district is coming to you to help inform students and the public about air quality, major air pollutants, and what can be done to lessen these problems in the future. Your group will complete a four task assignment to meet the school district's needs in educating others.
PART 1:
You will research the major air pollutants, where they come from, and what effects they can have. This should include pollutants from industry, human activities, natural processes, etc. You have 3 options for compiling and presenting this material:
a wiki page
a booklet
a poster
PART 2:
Indoor air pollution can also be a major problems in our schools and our homes. Your group should illustrate some common sources of indoor air pollutants in our schools and where they can be found. Proper methods of ventilation, cleaning, storage, etc. should be discussed. This portion of the project can be in the form of
a poster
a PowerPoint presentation
a wiki page
PART 3:
One of the major concerns with any type of pollution is the effects on human health. This is probably the area most citizens are concerned with. Both outdoor and indoor air pollution can be detrimental to the health of those exposed to the pollutants. Your job is to explain some of these health effects. Explain what health issues could arise from the different pollutants. This information should be summarized in one of the following ways:
a brochure
a wiki page
a booklet or series of index cards
PART 4:
The final part of your assignment of informing the school community about air quality and air pollution is informing them of what they can do to reduce these problems. This should be a creative, informative presentation to educate and inspire others to make positive changes in their lives and communities to improve air quality. This presentation can be
a skit
a PowerPoint presentation
The school district is counting on you, as responsible, environmentally minded students, to make a good effort to inform others of this major issue.
Your completed projects will be available for others to view. We will display your work for your classmates and others to view, learn from, and evaluate. The 4th part of the assignment is actually the only one you will present to the class as a whole, but all four parts will be part of your grade. At least one part of your project must be in the form of a wiki page. We will discuss exactly what type of information should be on this page and how to create it. There will also be a group member evaluation as part of your grade, so please cooperate with your group members and take an active role!
Your Wiki Page:
A wiki page will be created for your group. You can edit this page as you would any word processing document. You must be logged into wikispaces to be able to edit your page.
Click on the link for your page in the menu on the right.
Click on the "EDIT" icon near the upper right corner.
Begin adding your information. Use the tools in the editor box to change text, add numbers or bullets, add links, photos, videos, etc. You may also add links just by copying and pasting links from your address bar. Pictures may also be copied and pasted onto your wiki page.
Make you wiki organized and easy to read. Include more than just text. Remember you are providing this information to other students and the general public. Explain scientific information. You may want to include a glossary explaining some important terms.
You must include links to other websites with important information and articles on air pollution. You should add at least 5 links other than the ones listed below.
Toxic Air and America's Schools
As an Environmental Biology student, the district is coming to you to help inform students and the public about air quality, major air pollutants, and what can be done to lessen these problems in the future. Your group will complete a four task assignment to meet the school district's needs in educating others.
PART 1:
You will research the major air pollutants, where they come from, and what effects they can have. This should include pollutants from industry, human activities, natural processes, etc. You have 3 options for compiling and presenting this material:
a wiki page
a booklet
a poster
PART 2:
Indoor air pollution can also be a major problems in our schools and our homes. Your group should illustrate some common sources of indoor air pollutants in our schools and where they can be found. Proper methods of ventilation, cleaning, storage, etc. should be discussed. This portion of the project can be in the form of
a poster
a PowerPoint presentation
a wiki page
PART 3:
One of the major concerns with any type of pollution is the effects on human health. This is probably the area most citizens are concerned with. Both outdoor and indoor air pollution can be detrimental to the health of those exposed to the pollutants. Your job is to explain some of these health effects. Explain what health issues could arise from the different pollutants. This information should be summarized in one of the following ways:
a brochure
a wiki page
a booklet or series of index cards
PART 4:
The final part of your assignment of informing the school community about air quality and air pollution is informing them of what they can do to reduce these problems. This should be a creative, informative presentation to educate and inspire others to make positive changes in their lives and communities to improve air quality. This presentation can be
a skit
a PowerPoint presentation
The school district is counting on you, as responsible, environmentally minded students, to make a good effort to inform others of this major issue.
Your completed projects will be available for others to view. We will display your work for your classmates and others to view, learn from, and evaluate. The 4th part of the assignment is actually the only one you will present to the class as a whole, but all four parts will be part of your grade. At least one part of your project must be in the form of a wiki page. We will discuss exactly what type of information should be on this page and how to create it. There will also be a group member evaluation as part of your grade, so please cooperate with your group members and take an active role!
Your Wiki Page:
A wiki page will be created for your group. You can edit this page as you would any word processing document. You must be logged into wikispaces to be able to edit your page.
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
Air Pollution:
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/air.html
http://www.epa.gov/region01/students/pdfs/rd_airpol.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/region01/students/pdfs/rd_auto.pdf
http://www.airnow.gov/
Indoor Air Quality:
http://www.epa.gov/region01/students/pdfs/indoorair.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/region01/students/pdfs/radon.pdf
Health Effects:
http://www.epa.gov/region01/students/pdfs/rd_health.pdf
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/airpollution.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/air-pollution-can-harm-human-reproduction.php